Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Dog Fighting Kingpin David Tant Up for Parole Sept 8th: Easy Way for You to Comment To Prevent Tant from Being Released

You can see just how sick David Tant is by viewing the photos at the Facebook page set up for this at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=491739&id=503460435&fbid=10150249984935436

This is very easy to do. In fact, the first link below takes you right to a window to fill out a comment, and the second link below provides an easy petition to sign.

Please keep reading. I was sent this by another group:

LETTERS ARE MOST IMPORTANT! PLEASE SEND REGULAR MAIL AS WELL! ***EVERYONE CLICK THIS LINK TO PROVIDE THE LETTER TO OPPOSE DAVID TANT'S PAROLE. THEY MAKE IT VERY EASY TO DO. MAKE SURE YOU PUT IN DAVID'S # 306170***
http://www.dppps.sc.gov/oppose_parole.html (for those having an issue when they click on this link, I did too. You need to copy the URL address and paste in new window. For some reason the site is slow).

*WE NEED LETTERS SENT AND PLEASE SHARE!* KINGPIN DOG FIGHTING BREEDER SET FOR PAROLE SEPT 8TH!!

**AND SIGN PETITION HERE**

"Tant was notorious as a long-time, high-profile breeder and fighter of pit bulls, and his demise delivered a startling blow to the underground dogfighting industry in the entire country."

David Tant of Charleston County, South Carolina was reportedly considered by the underground dogfighting community to be one of the top breeders of fighting pit bulls in the country. In April 2004, authorities seized 47 pit bulls from Tant's property, many with injuries consistent with dogfighting.

They found dogfighting
equipment: caged treadmills, a "rape box" (designed to restrain female dogs so that they can be forcibly bred), cattle prods, harnesses, a bear trap, homemade gun silencers, dogfighting magazines and remnants of a dogfighting ring.

In November 2004, after two days of a jury trial, the defendant pleaded guilty to four counts of animal fighting and one count of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for animal fighting, 10 years in prison for creating a booby trap, and restitution of about $150,000.

On July 21, 2010, six years into his 30 year sentence, Tant was granted his first parole hearing in front of three members of the seven-member parole board. He was not required to go in front of the full parole board because,shockingly, his is considered a non-violent offense. The vote was split 2-1 in favor of parole. Because the partial board did not reach a unanimous decision, Tant will go in front of the full board on September 8.

Write a polite letter to the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to oppose parole for this dogfighter, who is responsible for the suffering of many innocent animals in this violent bloodsport. Use SC PPP's online comment form to oppose parole for

DavidTant, SC Department of Corrections inmate # 306170.

SUBJECT: NO PAROLE FOR David Tant # 306170

Inmate # 306170
South Carolina Department of
Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
2221 Devine Street, Suite 600
P.O. Box 50666
Columbia, SC 29250

MORE INFO ON CASE: http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/2187/SC/US/

FOR INFO CALL: For Public Information people can call 803-734-9267 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 803-734-9267 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Parole/Pardon Information
1-803-734-9200

***EVERYONE CLICK THIS LINK TO PROVIDE THE LETTER TO OPPOSE DAVID TANT'S PAROLE. THEY MAKE IT VERY EASY TO DO. MAKE SURE YOU PUT IN DAVID'S # 306170***
http://www.dppps.sc.gov/oppose_parole.html (for those having an issue when they click on this link, I did too. You need to copy the URL address and paste in new window. For some reason the site is slow).

VISIT PREMADE LETTER TO SEND (please edit so all aren't the same! The parole board will NOT take this seriously if everyone send same letter!):
VISIT FOR A PREMADE LETTER: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=491739&id=503460435&saved#!/notes/stacy-paige/justice-through-action-dog-fighting-kingpin-up-for-parole/422916648095

Even After OSHA Cites SeaWorld $75,000 Death, they Refuse to Admit Just How Unnatural and Dangerous it is to Keep Wild Animals Such as Killer Whales

I think this quote says it all in regard to how unnatural it is to keep wild animals such as Killer Whales / Orcas:

“SeaWorld recognized the inherent risk of allowing trainers to interact with potentially dangerous animals,” said Cindy Coe, OSHA’s regional administrator in Atlanta, Ga. “Nonetheless, it required its employees to work within the pool walls, on ledges and on shelves where they were subject to dangerous behavior by the animals.”

In addition, look at this quote which again ponts to just how unnatural and dangerous this practice is:

"In addition to the history with this whale, the OSHA investigation revealed that SeaWorld trainers had an extensive history of unexpected and potentially dangerous incidents involving killer whales at its various facilities, including its location in Orlando. Despite this record, management failed to make meaningful changes to improve the safety of the work environment for its employees."

Article:

OSHA Cites SeaWorld $75,000 Following Animal Trainer’s Death

http://ehstoday.com/safety/news/osha-cites-seaworld-animal-trainer-death-2372/
Aug 24, 2010 2:58 PM, By Laura Walter

OSHA has cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC a total of $75,000 for three safety violations following the Feb. 24 death of an animal trainer. SeaWorld, however, argued that OSHA’s allegations are unfounded and intends to contest the citations.

On Feb. 24, a 6-ton killer whale grabbed a trainer and pulled her under the water as park guests watched. Video footage shows the killer whale repeatedly striking and thrashing the trainer and pulling her under water even as she attempted to escape. The autopsy report describes the cause of death as drowning and traumatic injuries.

“SeaWorld recognized the inherent risk of allowing trainers to interact with potentially dangerous animals,” said Cindy Coe, OSHA’s regional administrator in Atlanta, Ga. “Nonetheless, it required its employees to work within the pool walls, on ledges and on shelves where they were subject to dangerous behavior by the animals.”

OSHA’s investigation revealed that this animal was one of three killer whales involved in the death of an animal trainer in 1991 at Sea Land of the Pacific in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. SeaWorld had forbidden trainers from swimming with this whale because of his dangerous past behavior, but allowed trainers to interact with the whale, including touching him, while lying on the pool edge in shallow water.

In addition to the history with this whale, the OSHA investigation revealed that SeaWorld trainers had an extensive history of unexpected and potentially dangerous incidents involving killer whales at its various facilities, including its location in Orlando. Despite this record, management failed to make meaningful changes to improve the safety of the work environment for its employees.

“All employers are obligated to assess potential risks to the safety and health of their employees and take actions to mitigate those risks,” said Les Grove, OSHA’s area director in Tampa, Fla. “In facilities that house wild animals, employers need to assess the animals under their care and to minimize human-animal interaction if there is no safe way to reliably predict animal behavior under all conditions.”

OSHA has issued one willful citation to SeaWorld for exposing its employees to struck-by and drowning hazards when interacting with killer whales; a serious citation for exposing employees to a fall hazard by failing to install a stairway railing system by a Shamu Stadium stage; and one other-than-serious violation for failing to equip outdoor electrical receptacles in Shamu Stadium with weatherproof enclosures.

SeaWorld to Contest Violations

SeaWorld called OSHA’s allegations “unfounded” and intends to contest the citation.

“The safety of our guests and employees and the welfare of our animals are core values for SeaWorld and areas in which we do not compromise,” the company said in an Aug. 23 statement sent to EHS Today.

According to SeaWorld, the Feb. 24 death of a trainer “inspired an internal review of our whale program that has been unprecedented in scope. The findings of that review have been presented to an independent committee made up of some of the world’s most respected marine mammal experts. Their conclusions, drawn from decades of experience caring for marine mammals, are in stark contrast to OSHA’s. The safety of SeaWorld’s killer whale program was already a model for marine zoological facilities around the world and the changes we are now undertaking in personal safety, facility design and communication will make the display of killer whales at SeaWorld parks safer still.”

The company went on to state the OSHA’s allegations are unsupported by evidence and exhibit a lack of understanding of marine animal safety requirements. SeaWorld operates under permits to exhibit killer whales; is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service; and is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, which address employee safety in their accreditation processes.

“It also is important to note that while maintaining a safe environment for our trainers, the demands of humane care require our zoological team to work in close physical proximity to these animals. Our trainers are among the most skilled, trained and committed zoological professionals in the world today. The fact that there have been so few incidents over more than 2 million separate interactions with killer whales is evidence not just of SeaWorld’s commitment to safety, but to the success of that training and the skill and professionalism of our staff,” the company stated.

Government Wants to Kill Wolves Again: What You Can Do to Speak Out Against

By the way, just because I post from other groups doesn’t always mean I’m a full supporter of that group. I’m just passing on the horrible news.

Seems the government wants to kill Wolves again. They seem to love doing this.


Help Stop the Federal Wolf Killing Plan


Speak out against a federal plan to use aerial gunning and poisonous gas to kill entire wolf packs in Idaho.

Goal: 30,000 • Progress: 502

Sponsored by: Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund
The federal Wildlife Services agency (a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture) is the primary wolf-killer in the United States— and now wants to expand their wolf-killing operations. They plan to work with Idaho officials to eliminate up to 80 percent of the wolves in north-central Idaho by land and from the air.

Their plan also includes killing entire packs— including gassing helpless wolf pups in their dens— and surgically sterilizing alpha wolf pairs.

Pregnant Pit Bull Doused with Gasoline and Burned to Death While Giving Birth to Her Puppies: What You Can Do to Bring Prosecution

Need I say more? Received this via email.


JUSTICE FOR MIMI ... PREGNANT - DOUSED WITH GASOLINE
Target: Animal Control, Memphis TN, the Governor of TN, ASPCA overseeing TN
Sponsored by: Ingi's Quest 2 save the abused

POOR LITTLE MIMI ... JUST 2 YEARS OLD ... EVEN IN DOG YEARS THAT'S JUST 14 :( BARELY A TEENAGER!!!

She was a gorgeous Pit Bull and pregnant, January 2008 - she was doused with gasoline and burned to death WHILE GIVING BIRTH TO HER PUPPIES!!!!

This outrageous, cruel, evil behaviour must end, and must end NOW!!! We can no longer sit back and pretend this abuse does not exist. It DOES exist, and it is extremely wide spread across this nation. Will you continue to pretend it doesn't???

UPDATE AUGUST 4th, 2010
I HAVE RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION FROM THE CREATOR OF THE FACEBOOK PAGE "JUSTICE FOR MIMI"
Justice For MiMi - Prosecute Her Killer!

Targets: Memphis Police Department - Larry A. Godwin, Director; City of Memphis - A C Wharton, Jr., Mayor; Memphis City Council - Bill Morrison, William C. Boyd, Harold B. Collins, Wanda Halbert, Jim Strickland, Edmund Ford, Jr., Barbara Swearengen Ware, Joe Brown, Janis Fullilove, Myron Lowery, Kemp Conrad, Shea Flinn, Reid

Ohio Veal Calf Farm Exposed in New Video: Shows Calves Covered in Feces and Chained by their Necks in Narrow Stalls

Note: this post went live yesterday, but I found out today that Costco is actually a big customer of this group. As a consumer, you should know this.

I have embedded the actual video shown in the article below. Again, you can’t argue against video. Anyone still not aware of the hell and suffering baby veal calves endure just isn’t paying attention.






Article:

Activists Say State Board Not Doing Enough To Protect Animals

http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/aug/31/3/mercy_for_animals_accuses_veal_farm-ar-216504/

By Marshall McPeek & Donna Willis
Published: August 31, 2010
Updated: August 31, 2010 - 12:07 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Animal-rights activists lash out at the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board Tuesday morning, saying the board is dragging its feet and not doing enough to protect animals.

Mercy For Animals released a new, undercover video Tuesday morning, hosted by TV star Bob Barker, that shows the conditions and treatment of calves at an Ohio veal farm.

According to a statement from the animal-rights group Mercy For Animals, the video shows calves covered in feces and chained by their necks in narrow stalls, where they are unable to turn around or walk.

WARNING: Video May Be Disturbing To Some Viewers.

The group said the footage shows the calves in 2-feet-wide wooden veal crates, which restrict the animals from lying down comfortably, breathing fresh air, seeing sunlight, cleaning themselves or bonding with their mothers.

The activists said the video is an example of standard veal-production practices and they call on the OLCSB to immediately ban those practices.

The group said the video was recorded covertly April 19, 2010, during a walking tour of a Northwest Ohio veal farm.

NBC 4 attempted to contact the farm in question and has left messages.

NBC 4 has not received a response from the farm and will release the farm's name when a statement is obtained.

Mercy for Animals said it sent a letter to the OLCSB Monday, Aug. 30, to demand action.

It has not yet received a response.

Mercy For Animals is the same group that released video from a dairy farm in Union County, showing workers beating cows with crowbars, stabbing them with pitchforks and punching them in their heads.

Will Ohio Change their Ridiculous and Lax Laws About Keeping Exotic Pets after Bear Killing?

My answer, probably and sadly no, but maybe the death will make some think.

Article:

Bear attack highlights lax Ohio exotic pet laws

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iNrDb5ra1GovER_itgzgfh9ORb3QD9HUALAG0

By JULIE CARR SMYTH (AP) – 11 hours ago

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The bear that recently killed a caretaker in a Cleveland suburb was the latest example of animal violence in a state that has some of the nation's weakest restrictions on exotic pets and among the highest number of injuries and deaths caused by them.
After a standoff between the Humane Society and agriculture interests, state officials are crafting restrictions on the ownership of dangerous wild pets. But the killer beast and others owned by former bear-wrestling entrepreneur Sam Mazzola, who was on probation at the time of the attack for illegally selling and transporting exotic animals, would have been grandfathered out of them.

"It's just a free-for-all in Ohio, and Sam Mazzola is just an example of that," said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States. "Tigers, wolves, bears in a suburban Lorain County community: It is a disaster waiting to happen."
The death in Ohio and attacks elsewhere — including the maiming of a Connecticut woman by her friend's pet chimpanzee and a 2-year-old Florida girl squeezed to death by her family's python — highlight that the patchwork of federal, state and local laws on keeping dangerous wild animals at home has holes.

Mazzola had the proper state permit to keep the black bear, a species native to Ohio, on his property. He also kept wolves, tigers and a lion, saomething he was free to do because Ohio and at least four other states — Alabama, Idaho, Missouri and Montana — impose few or no restrictions on the ownership of non-native animals kept solely as pets, according to a review of state regulations by The Associated Press.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates animals exhibited to the public but not private ownership. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires permits for native endangered and threatened species but doesn't track non-native, endangered species unless they cross state borders.

The Humane Society cut a deal this year with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and leading farm groups that traded pulling an animal cruelty measure off the November ballot for certain animal protections, including a ban on exotic pets. Farm groups opposed the ballot measure, which would have imposed treatment and caging requirements on livestock, as threatening to Ohio's $93 billion agricultural industry.

Existing non-native animals, like the ones Mazzola continues to keep, may be kept under Ohio's proposed regulations, but owners would not be able to breed them or replace them when they die.

The ban also would exempt animals in zoos, research centers and existing athletic mascot programs, Strickland spokeswoman Amanda Wurst said.
Many exotic pet owners in Ohio and elsewhere believe big animals — especially predators such as lions, tigers, bears and cougars — are no longer safe in the wild because of habitat loss, public fear and poaching. They view themselves as conservationists.
"Of the overall amount of people who actually have snakes as pets, who actually have chimpanzees as pets, these incidents are a very small percentage," said Cindy Huntsman, whose Stump Hill Farm near Massillon houses 250 wild animals.
According to a database of publicized exotic-pet escapes and attacks since 1990 kept by the animal rights group Born Free USA, Ohio ranks fifth in the number of episodes that hurt or killed a human — 14. The leader, Florida, has had 43, followed by Texas with 19, New York with 18 and California with 16. Alabama ties Ohio with 14.

The Ohio bear attack occurred Aug. 19 when caretaker Brent Kandra, 24, took the animal out of its cage for feeding at Mazzola's menagerie. Mazzola's federal license to exhibit the bear was revoked after animal rights activists complained about his practice of taking money to let people wrestle Ceasar, another bear he owned. But he was still free to keep the animals.
Most people who work regularly with exotic beasts know and accept the risks, Huntsman said, comparing it to being a farmer or working with killer whales at SeaWorld.
Mazzola reflected that attitude in comments to reporters the day after the fatal attack, showing off a facial scar he got from an encounter with a bear and saying he had a total of 2,000 stitches from his time working with animals.

"These are the things that happen when you deal and love these type of animals," he said.
Tom Burrington, 68, a retiree who lives two doors from Mazzola, recalled after the attack that one of the man's bears once rolled over a neighbor, who had to go to the hospital.

"It was a big joke," Burrington said. "They said the bear sat on a guy, but it was not funny to the safety forces. There wasn't anything funny about it."

A federal judge on Friday ordered mental health treatment for Mazzola as new terms of his probation sentence after pleading guilty in 2009 to transporting a bear to Toledo and selling a skunk without a license. Mazzola's attorney didn't return a message Monday seeking comment.
Animal rights groups have used attacks like the one that killed Kandra to push for tougher regulations elsewhere.

After a friend's 200-pound pet chimpanzee mauled and blinded a Connecticut woman in 2009, state lawmakers voted to ban ownership of large primates and other potentially dangerous animals, such as bears, leopards and wolves.

Since the Florida girl was suffocated by her family's Burmese python last year, it has become illegal for individuals there to own them and six other large, exotic reptile species.
Born Free USA considers it inhumane to keep large, wild animals in captivity even if they don't hurt anyone, Executive Vice President Adam Roberts said.
Exotic pet ownership also includes the risk of infectious disease, damage to the environment when pets are set free or escape, and a growing financial burden on animal rescue groups that run sanctuaries for animals that are abandoned, he said.

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums recommends against exotic pet ownership in part because of the lethal diseases wild animals can carry: distemper and rabies in carnivores; herpes in monkeys; and salmonella in reptiles. Vaccines used on domestic animals often don't work on their wild cousins, the group notes.

"People see wild animals and they see them as cute, as something they want to have, want to hold, want to covet," Roberts said. "Then they get bigger and more dangerous and the owner is in over their head."

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Parole Hearing Coming for Juan Daniels Who Beat a Pitbull with a Shovel and Then Doused with Lighter Fluid: Make Sure He’s Not Released

Pretty easy thing to do. I was sent this from another group via a Facebook page. You can access that page at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=480583&id=503460435 but the most crucial information is found below.

To see what this scum did, visit the page for photos. Michael Vick would be very proud of Juan Daniels for how he tried to kill this pitbull. Might even invite him to his new mansion.

Take a few minutes and write to the Alabama Board of Pardons/Paroles to deny parole for him. The hearing is on August 24th so you need to get on it. You’ll find the information below. You can also visit this link for a premade e-mail to send via e-mail since snail mail WILL NOT MAKE IT in time - http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=419260713095

Information:

Hello everyone! UPDATE. We have today (Thurs), Fri, & Mon before Juan Daniel's parole hearing. So please visit this link for a premade e-mail to send via e-mail since snail mail WILL NOT MAKE IT in time.


**19 second video clip**

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=719420867#!/video/video.php?v=10150242157130436&ref=mf

PLEASE SHARE ON YOUR PAGE!!

Meet Louie. The pitbull beaten with a shovel, doused with lighter fluid, and set on fire by JUAN DANIELS. Why? Because his family wouldn't let him borrow the car.

"The dog was tied to a tree at the time of the attack and viciously ripped its own flesh off trying to escape the flames.

When news broke of the act, Juan Daniels fled the capital city. The vicious nature of the crime lead to an all out manhunt for Daniels who was tracked down by U.S. Marshals a short time later in the Tuscaloosa area."

On August 24th there will be a parole hearing for Juan Daniels. Please write letters to the Alabama Board of Pardons/Paroles to deny parole for him. The letter can be brief. It took me 5 minutes to write. I mailed it 2 days ago. We need these letters out ASAP.

This man should not be released. Every person who does not write a letter to send in is choosing to act on behalf of this sick, twisted animal abuser, JUAN DANIELS. So please take a few moments to write and mail to:

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles
PO Box 302405, Montgomery, Alabama 36130
The letter should reference: "Juan Daniels, AIS#263875"

**The Board reads ALL letters sent to them concerning these cases.**

Long Island Man Edward Semke Arrested and Charged with Animal Cruelty after Brutally Beating Seven-Month-Old Puppy to Death: Make Sure He’s Convicted

What can I say? Please visit the link below to sign the petition to make sure this is taken seriously. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/li-man-beaten-7-month-old-puppy-2-death/

As you’ll see from the text taken from the article below Edward Semke is a sick person that needs to be convicted.

“Jack died a short time after the brutal beating, SPCA officials said.

Semke also admitted to digging a hole and burying the bloodhound in the backyard. But Semke gave the investigators permission exhume the puppy and the body was taken to a local veterinarian to have the necropsy performed.

The necropsy revealed that Jack had suffered a broken neck -- causing him to slowly suffocate.”

Site:

L.i Man beaten 7 month old puppy 2 Death !!!!


Long Island man was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty by the Suffolk County SPCA today, after he allegedly beat his seven-month-old pup to death.

Investigators at the Suffolk County SPCA received a call on Friday from the Suffolk County Police Department about an alleged case of animal cruelty at the Centereach home of Edward Semke.


Jack died a short time after the brutal beating, SPCA officials said.

Semke also admitted to digging a hole and burying the bloodhound in the backyard. But Semke gave the investigators permission exhume the puppy and the body was taken to a local veterinarian to have the necropsy performed.

The necropsy revealed that Jack had suffered a broken neck -- causing him to slowly suffocate.

"This was a horrible way for the bloodhound puppy to die," said Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk County SPCA. "I've been doing this 26 years and I still lose sleep over it. You never get used to it."

European Union Ban on the Trade of All Seal Products Begins: Victory in Action

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s here. Hopefully this will help lead to the end of such brutal practices as the annual baby seal slaughter in Canada.

Article:

EU Seal Trade Ban Begins

http://blogs.wsj.com/brussels/2010/08/19/eu-seal-trade-ban-begins/

By John W. Miller


This week marks the beginning of a European Union ban on the trade of all seal products, except for those hunted by traditional methods. (Those aren’t necessarily more humane; they also involve shooting seals, just far fewer of them.)

Animal welfare groups fought for decades to secure the ban, and they say it is their biggest ever victory. “I can’t think of a bigger one,” says Adrian Hiel of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. IFAW credits the impending ban with helping to reduce the haul of Canada’s commercial hunt by hundreds of thousands of seals over the past two years.

So what’s next for animal welfare groups?

Says Mr. Hiel: Fighting trade in two other rare animal products: whale meat and ivory. It is illegal to import both into the EU, though smugglers do try.

There is currently an international moratorium on hunting whales, which some countries, led by Japan, are trying to overturn. Animal rights groups want the EU to stay committed to the moratorium. Earlier this year, a batch of whale meat that was discovered imported into Latvia from Iceland. It was immediately tracked down and destroyed.

Ivory often gets smuggled from Africa to China. IFAW and other groups are lobbying the EU to fund efforts to fight poachers and smugglers in Africa. “African countries don’t have the resources to properly protect their parks and animals,” says Mr. Hiel.

Meanwhile, the fight over the seal trade is perhaps not over. Canada has challenged the EU ban at the World Trade Organization, on the grounds that it constitutes illegal discrimination.

Solomon Islands Businessman Francis Chow Imprisons Eight Dolphins to Sell them to Marine Parks in Australia and the US

Humm, ever wonder where all those theme parks and aquariums get dolphins? Well, here we go – from sleaze that imprison them and then shop them around.

Article:

New face in Solomons dolphin trade

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/new-face-in-solomons-dolphin-trade-20100819-12rlh.html

Ilya Gridneff
August 19, 2010 - 4:44PM
AAP

Animal rights activists are outraged by a Solomon Islands businessman who has virtually imprisoned eight "totally stressed" dolphins in a tiny pool for months while he tries to sell them to marine parks in Australia and the US.

Despite opposition from both the Australian and New Zealand governments, Solomons dolphins are captured and sold to aquariums, marine parks and even hotels around the world, often fetching as much as $200,000.

Solomons dolphin activist Lawrence Makili, who is the Earth Island Institute's Pacific Regional Director, has told AAP that despite the institute's tireless efforts to end the live trade, another dolphin dealer had emerged.

The American-based Earth Island Institute earlier this year began paying Solomon villagers to stop hunting dolphins.

At the time, Canadian Chris Porter, the so-called 'Darth-Vader' of the Solomons dolphin trade, had a change of heart and switched from dolphin seller to dolphin saver.

But for the past six months local businessman Francis Chow has been trying to sell eight dolphins he keeps in a pen.

"The real concern is how the dolphins are being held," Makili said on Thursday.

"They've been sitting in a tiny shallow pool for six months now, it's especially bad at low tide.

"These poor animals are totally stressed".

Makili said the Solomons government once banned the trade but now, in the pursuit of much-needed revenue, ignores directives by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

"Hopefully the next government will have a clear dolphin policy," he said.

"There is confusion and an absence of regulation for the welfare of these animals.

"The Solomon government quota was 100 but CITES said it should be reduced down to 10. Then the government downsized to 50 but we say 50 is too much."

Mr Chow told AAP his 'Solomons Marine Wildlife Park' was an adequate dolphin enclosure.
"We are not killing the dolphins, we are exporting them to marine parks like in Australia or America, we are not breaking any laws.

"I follow the law, we use scientists, follow procedures.
"Why don't those hypocrites stop driving Japanese cars and go and harass the Japanese whalers.
"They harass us, bully local MPs, trespass and give us a hard time. I don't know why all the fuss?"

Mr Chow said last year he traded 20 dolphins and hoped to sell as many this year.

"I have a seafront property so I want to make use of it, we've also been hurt by the global financial crisis and trying to make business," he said.

"Now the market is low, dolphins are worth about $50,000."

Some Solomon Islanders still hunt dolphins for food and use their teeth for traditional 'shell money' but since 2003 they have also been hunted for profit on the live export market.

Ted Nugent Illegally Kills Young Deer for TV Ratings: Proof Again that Hunters Do Not Play by the Rules

I’m sure you’ve all heard it before that hunters always play nice…yeah right. This proves they do not, as it’s clear he knew that what he was doing was illegal and just done for his show. The other thing it proves is that he’s an idiot, but we all knew that as well.

Article:

Rocker Nugent fined for baiting deer on TV show

http://www.theunion.com/article/20100819/NEWS/100819722/1002&parentprofile=1053

By Rob Young
Special to The Union

Rock star and gun rights advocate Ted Nugent has been fined $1,750 in Yuba County Superior Court after pleading no contest to a charge of baiting deer on his hunting show, “Spirit of the Wild.”

Yuba City attorney Jack Kopp, representing Theodore Anthony Nugent, entered the plea to Department of Fish and Game charges of baiting deer and not having a deer tag countersigned at the closest possible location, said Deputy District Attorney John Vacek.

Nugent, who did not appear in court, also illegally shot an immature buck on the show, but was not charged, according to Fish and Game.

Baiting deer is legal in some states but not in California, said department spokesman Patrick Foy. Baiting supplies are sold at some outdoor stores, he said.

The deer was killed in El Dorado County toward the end of deer hunting season in fall 2009, but brought to Yuba County. Two co-defendants, Mitchell Neil Moore and Ross Albert Patterson, live in Yuba County, said Vacek.

Moore was a photographer on the Outdoor Channel show. Patterson, who pleaded no contest to taking an animal with bait, actively spread bait called C'mere Deer. His family owns the El Dorado County property where the hunt took place, said Foy.

Two deer were killed after being baited, said Vacek.

Moore and Patterson also were represented by Kopp and did not appear in court. Moore, who pleaded no contest to possessing an animal illegally, was fined $700. Patterson was fined $1,225.

Judge James F. Dawson ordered all three men to pay the fines by Oct. 1.

‘Fell out of his chair'

Nugent originally faced a charge of killing a “spike” — an immature buck — on the program, but the charge was dropped during negotiations between his attorney and the Yuba County District Attorney's Office, said Foy.

A spike is a deer with two antlers that have not yet “forked,” Foy said.

A Fish and Game warden saw the show in March and “just about fell out of his chair” when he saw Nugent with the buck, according to Foy.

A subsequent investigation led to the baiting charge. A search warrant was served in April at Moore's home in Yuba County, said Foy.

Nugent was “very cooperative” when contacted in March after the show aired, Foy said.

Fish and Game decided to treat Nugent as it would any other violator, and so did not issue a press release when the charges were filed Aug. 6, Foy said. Dawson fined Nugent on Aug. 13.

Kopp declined comment as he left the courtroom.

A Nugent assistant at “Tedquarters” in Jackson, Mich., Linda Peterson, and his music management firm, McGhee Entertainment, had no comment.

Nugent is on a concert tour, including several stops in California, according to his website.

A Nugent biography on the website ActiveMusician. com calls him “an outspoken advocate of hunting and gun ownership rights and the owner of 350 guns himself.”

Nugent has served on the National Rifle Association's board of directors since 1995 and has had a long adversarial relationship with the animal rights movement, according to the biography.

Rob Young is a reporter for the Appeal-Democrat in Marysville.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Reality of Horse Slaughter in Mexico Exposed: Unreal Cruelty Explained & How Horses Get to Mexico from the U.S.: What You Can Do to Stop it

I can write a bunch here on the hell endured by these beautiful beings, but this quote says it all:

“How are the animals slaughtered?

The method used to kill horses in most of the clandestine plants in Mexico, (all over the country) is by stabbing them in the spine until they are disabled. Then they are strung up from their hind legs and their throats are slit. Some others are killed by hitting them with a hammer on their heads, as well as donkeys and mules and most of them are skinned even if they are still alive. Some others are put into a box to immobilize them and stab them to death. The "puntilla" method appears to be standard at older slaughter plants throughout Mexico.

These intelligent and sensitive animals go through unspeakable suffering, even before their death.”

And, how can this be stopped?

What can Americans do if they want to stop horses from being driven to Canada and Mexico for slaughter?

“They have to press the American Congress and their Government to pass the S.311, it is vital that they write to their congressmen and ask him/her to support it to amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes. Implement border control, inspection of all the trailers coming into and out of the country.

Control the propagation by neutering the animals.

-How do you respond to American ranchers and horse auctioneers who support horse slaughter?

I would ask them to stop selling the animals and to also control the propagation by neutering them.”

It appears that S. 311 is not active. Therefore, please visit http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/mexico-stop-the-horrific-cruelty/ to sign the petition to get the U.S. government active on this issue and get S. 311 or something like it to amend the “…Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes.”

Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act in Congress: Bring All Commercial Dog Breeders Under Federal Oversight: 2nd Post

I wanted to post on this very important issue again...

Need I say more. Very simple interface to help you contact those in Washingtion. You know me…I’m not saying it’s going to work….but it’s worth a try!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/904/214/828?z00m=19863910

Meathead Goldwyn, Famous “Barbecue Whisperer and Hedonism Evangelist” to Try Vegetarianism for 30 Days: I Say Thanks for Being Open-Minded

I wanted to bring this article to your attention as it gives me hope and also gives reason to remember that not all of those who are not vegetarian are non-thoughtful people. He’s a great example of a guy who probably will never give up meat, but that at least wants to consume meat in a more responsible manner. Yes, I agree, an argument can be made that a slight change is not much, but let’s be real here – meet people where they are.

In fact, I give him a great amount of respect for the following quote:

“I want to use my prominence in the food community and as a man whose reputation was built on cooking meat, to send a message to the factory farms that I think they can do better and that I am willing to pay more for my meat if it is grown better.”

Just prior to that he stated that he is aware of the horrible conditions in factory farms:

“The way most of our beef, pork, fowl, and fish are grown nowadays, in huge factory farms, can be inhumane.

These methods may be harmful to humans.”

For these reasons he’s giving vegetarianism a chance. I say thanks Meathead Goldwyn for being open-minded and for attempting to bring changes to an industry that yes, as you say, can do much better.

Article:

Meathead To Go Meatless: Call Me Potatohead

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-goldwyn/meathead-to-go-meatless-c_b_674962.html

Why on earth would a cook nicknamed Meathead decide to become Potatohead for 30 days?

Why would I violate my well publicized motto "No rules in the bedroom or dining room"?

I have decided I will not bore you with a blow by blow diary of everything I eat. Instead I have posted some notes about what I am eating and cooking, and the problems I encounter here, on my website.

I'll stick to the core concepts, events, and thoughts there. So far this has been easy. My standard breakfast is high fiber cereal with 2% milk and fresh fruit. My standard lunch is a sandwich, this month there will be a lot of tomato sammies with thick slices of homegrown tomatoes, fresh basil, on whole wheat bread. My standard afternoon snack is almonds or carrots. Fact is this is my usual diet, although often lunch has leftover meat from dinner the night before. No longer. Dinner is the only real challenge.

It is fascinating how so many of the commenters below think my mission is to further the vegetarian cause when I say plainly that my mission is to tell meat producers that a prominent meat lover is on strike for 30 days over their methods. This article is NOT about the merits about eating meat. It is about how meat is grown. If you would like to debate the merits of eating meat or not, Huffington Post has a lively ongoing discussion on the subject with an in depth discussion on the subject. Just click here.


8/12 Day 4
This just in: In today's New York Times there is a report from the front lines titled "Farmers Lean to Truce on Animals' Close Quarters". The dateline is West Mansfield, OH, in the heart of Ohio farm country.Here's the lead paragraph "Concessions by farmers in this state to sharply restrict the close confinement of hens, hogs and veal calves are the latest sign that so-called factory farming -- a staple of modern agriculture that is seen by critics as inhumane and a threat to the environment and health -- is on the verge of significant change."
The article goes on to state that the agreement in Ohio is expected to be a model for other states, but it directly addresses the concerns in my article. Some farms will be grandfatehred and will not be forced to change, but new ones will need to meet new regulations that require more physical space for animals in which to live, and reduction of antibiotics. Farmers say "they sense that they must bend with the political and cultural winds."Let's keep the wind up!

In June, in order to better understand the issues surrounding our dietary choices, I wrote an article on Huffington Post called "Meat or No Meat". It attempted to explain the pros and cons of eating meat and divided the arguments into six categories. I continue to edit it based on reader comments.
There have been more than 8,000 passionate comments from everyone from cattle ranchers to PETA members. People feel religiously about this subject. I invite you to go there, read it, and join the debate.

Some of the arguments against meat do not impress me. But two give me pause every time I reach for my tongs:

The way most of our beef, pork, fowl, and fish are grown nowadays, in huge factory farms, can be inhumane.
These methods may be harmful to humans.
I want to use my prominence in the food community and as a man whose reputation was built on cooking meat, to send a message to the factory farms that I think they can do better and that I am willing to pay more for my meat if it is grown better.

Notice that I did not say all of our meat concerns me. A growing number of farmers have proven that they can bring high quality meat to market at competitive prices, in a humane way, without use of hormones and preventive antibiotics, and that they can do so with far less an environmental impact than factory farms.

My readings tell me that:

The overuse of preventive antibiotics is probably fostering antibiotic resistant bacteria that can infect humans. Antibiotics are needed to treat sick animals so they cannot be banned. But they should not be used on all animals as prevention because they are kept in too close quarters.
There is a small but significant quantity of valid, scientific, peer-reviewed research that calls into question the meat industry's claim that growth hormones are harmless. Even if there was no contradictory research, the levels that the US Government sets for some meats as "GRAS" (generally regarded as safe) are not thoroughly tested and are unacceptably high to many other countries, including the European Union.
The use of CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) create major waste disposal problems for soil and water that are significantly lessened by distributed farming.
There are many good books on the subject, but here is a free document from the Union of Concerned Scientists "CAFOs Uncovered". If you are busy, at least read the executive summary at the beginning.

I understand that we are addicted to cheap protein as much as we are addicted to cheap oil. I understand that cheap protein has helped the poor feed their families and kept school lunch prices down. I understand that improved animal husbandry will likely mean higher meat prices. If so, I think that we can absorb them. I think that we have alternatives. Those of us who can afford it will buy slightly more expensive meats. Or maybe we will buy less. Maybe some of us will buy other forms of protein and more fruits, vegetables, and grains. And this might not be bad.

In addition to my desire to send a message, I have two other motives:

I have read scores of testimonials from vegetarians about how going meatless made them feel great. I want to see how it makes me feel.
I love veggies and carbs almost as much as meat. I want to challenge my outdoor cooking skills and see if I can discover and create new dishes that will satisfy my meat loving readers. I will also use this as an opportunity to overcome my fear of flour. I will try to learn to bake on the grill.
So beginning August 9, for 30 days I will become an ovo-lacto vegetarian. That means I will forswear all animal flesh, but I will allow myself eggs and dairy. Why not go all the way and leave out the dairy and eggs?

Because I'm chicken. Ummm, I mean, I'm afraid. I'm afraid that my cooking skills will let me down, that the temptation to stray will be too great, and that nutritionally there are some pitfalls to the strict vegan diet and I am not knowledgeable enough to implement. I have learned that one must really understand nutrition to be a strict vegan.

How will this change me? Who knows? It is not likely that I will give up meat forever. I am already looking forward to my famous smoked turkey for Thanksgiving. But I may discover that I need much less meat than I thought. Meatless Mondays might become a habit (fact is there are usually two or three days a week that I don't eat meat already). Then again, after 30 days, I may need it more than ever. The scent of roasting ribs and sizzling steaks are as important to me as music or art.

Will I change the world? No chance. But this meatlover's voice is one more in a growing chorus and perhaps together we can change farming in the US. Perhaps you will join me this next 30 days and just say "no" as you walk past the meat case. After all, August is the easiest month to go vegetarian...

During the next month I plan to find sources for meat grown properly and hopefully locally for when I return to normal. I will share what I learn. I will blog about my experiences on this page and publish my best recipes on Huffington Post and on my website AmazingRibs.com.

I have already encountered a problem. A friend emailed me that he had found the most amazing artisan bacon and he want to bring me some. I told him it would have to wait. And I am also trying to figure out how I'm going to do a chicken grilling demo in late August without tasting what I'm cooking.

I invite you to share your ideas for how I can get through the next 30 days in the comments below. If you want to argue about why you think your dietary choices are superior, please go to my other article, "Meat or No Meat" and join the debate there.

HuffPost readers are pretty sharp. Share with me links to peer reviewed quality research that supports or contradicts my position.

I await your advice and brickbats.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Pet-Abuse.Com Animal Cruelty Database: Search by Location to Find Animal Cruelty Cases and Animal Abusers Within Specific Localities in the U.S.

What an incredible resource and a great way to find out what animal cruelty cases are on-going or have occurred in your local area. Includes those cases currently open and those closed with convictions.

One of the many benefits to this is that it allows you to find out if you’re living near a convicted animal abuser, or one currently involved in being investigated or tried for animal abuse.


To search by various parameters, visit http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/cruelty_database.php

Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) Still Needs Help: Katrina and BP Oil Disaster Continue to Stretch their Resources

If you can, please consider giving to ARNO. As you know the New Orleans area has suffered immensely due first to Katrina and now to the BP oil disaster and people having to give up dogs, cats, etc. due to the economic catastrophe that has occurred thanks to BP.

As stated at their site:

“Vet expenses have skyrocketed with the influx of animals coming in due to the oil spill. Added vet expenses of $2,000 just this past week allowed ARNO to get nine death row dogs out of a municipal shelter in Laplace, Louisiana, and three ARNO dogs. All were selected by the LA/SPCA to go to St. Hubert's in Madison, NJ and their placement partners in the northeast. The transport was arranged and paid for by HSUS with help from a grant from PetFinder.com and included 107 healthy dogs from shelters deluged with surrenders from the effects of the spill.”

So please visit http://www.animalrescueneworleans.org/ to see how you can help financially or physically.

Wal-Marts in China Sell Live Animals for Food: The Proof is in the Pictures

Well, seems that even Walmart / Wal-Mart is in China now and it seems that they have joined China in their cruelty. In summary, they are allowing Walmart stores in China to sell live animals, including crocodiles, frogs, and turtles (though I’m sure there are more). Well, it appears that the crocodiles are not alive though I can’t be certain.

So how did I come across these photos? Strange enough, through a site meant to show the interesting slice of life that frequent Wal-Mart stores - http://www.peopleofwalmart.com

Sadly though, it seems that this site thinks these pictures are funny. I’m sure they never thought they’d help expose the cruelty of both china and, now, Walmart.

You can view the pictures at: http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?p=15900

Stray Dogs in Iraq Continue to be Killed, Romania Killing Stray Animals, and Israel and Fur: What You Can Do

Normally I will not pass on an entire newsletter from another organization, but there are some pretty important actions in here. At the very least I wanted all of you to know about the issues of dogs in Iraq and Romania. As always, and unfortunately, animal abuse occurs in all parts of the world.

Here’s what they sent. There are links to each action.
OIPA
International Organization for Animal Protection
INTERNATIONAL NEWS LETTER
August 2010
SAVE STRAY DOGS IN IRAQ
International press news reported that teams of veterinarians and police shooters have killed about 58,000 stray dogs in and around the Iraqi capital, over the past 3 months, as part of a campaign to curb an increasing number of strays dogs. Please send a mail and give voice to the animals in Iraq. They need our support. We ask the Iraqi government to stop the inhumane killing of stray dogs and to implement humane methods through education, vaccination, and spaying and neutering.
PLEASE HELP SAVE STRAY ANIMALS IN ROMANIA
OIPA received many emails from concerned citizens about stray animals in Romania. Due to the lack of law for animal protection in Romania many people kill animals without being punished. Everyday many reports are emerging out of Romania regarding the shocking treatment and neglect of their animals.
Mass poisonings, animals being slaughtered, or being lured away to the woods and tortured before being shot. Many mass graves have been discovered.
THE WORLD ASKING ISRAEL TO PASS THE BILL TO BAN FUR
The bill for a total ban on fur trade will be voted on in the Israeli parliament on September 2nd. This influential bill is being put into jeopardy by the extreme lobbying of the fur industry. They are demanding of the Israeli Minister for Trade to fight the bill and without his backing the bill can not be voted in.
Send a Letter:
HELP TO PROTECT STRAY ANIMALS IN THE SEYCHELLES
Poisoning is common practice to try to handle the problem of stray dogs in Seychelles. The poisoning is undertaken by the environmental authorities and the veterinary services department, both of which are government agencies. Any animals found in a public place are considered to be 'strays' and the authorities can legally lay poisoned bait to eradicate them.

Friday, August 06, 2010

The True Impact to Human and Marine Life in The Gulf of Mexico Due to the Oil and the Toxic Dispersant Corexit / Corexit 9500 Because of BP

Article Exposes the Truth of What has Occurred and is Occurring to Human and Marine Life in The Gulf of Mexico Due to the Oil and the Toxic Dispersant Corexit / Corexit 9500 Because of BP

I cannot stress the importance of reading this crucial article. In addition, the author uses real video and photos to back up his claims. In essence, good, real journalism. You’ll have to visit the whole article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jerry-cope/the-crime-of-the-century_b_662971.html to view them.

This is a true exposure of what happened and is currently happening to human and marine life in the Gulf of Mexico after the BP oil spill of the Deepwater Horizon Mississippi Canyon 252 site.

Though not surprising, it’s sad to think that even the government is attempting to cover up the full impact of the oil and, just as importantly, the toxic dispersant Corexit / Corexit 9500 to marine life, including, but not limited to fish, dolphins, rays, squid, whales, and thousands of birds. Seems that even this administration has good reason to hide the reality and protect BP.

There’s way too much in the article below to publish in paragraphs here. For now, I’ve pulled out a few that signify the reality of what has occurred and what is currently occurring to ocean life & human life because of the oil and the use of the toxic Corexit / Corexit 9500 dispersant by BP.

“To judge from most media coverage, the beaches are open, the fishing restrictions being lifted and the Gulf resorts open for business in a healthy, safe environment. We, along with Pierre LeBlanc, spent the last few weeks along the Gulf coast from Louisiana to Florida, and the reality is distinctly different. The coastal communities of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have been inundated by the oil and toxic dispersant Corexit 9500, and the entire region is contaminated. The once pristine white beaches that have been subject to intense cleaning operations now contain the oil/dispersant contamination to an unknown depth. The economic impacts potentially exceed even the devastation of a major hurricane like Katrina, the adverse impacts on health and welfare of human populations are increasing every minute of every day and the long-term effects are potentially life threatening.”

“…describing a near-apocalyptic sight near the location of the sunken Deepwater Horizon -- fish, dolphins, rays, squid, whales, and thousands of birds -- "as far as the eye can see," dead and dying. According to his statement, which was later confirmed by another report from an individual working in the Gulf, whale carcasses were being shipped to a highly guarded location where they were processed for disposal.”

And, just as disturbing,

“Local fisherman in Alabama report sighting tremendous numbers of dolphins, sharks, and fish moving in towards shore as the initial waves of oil and dispersant approached in June. Many third- and fourth-generation fisherman declared emphatically that they had never seen or heard of any similar event in the past. Scores of animals were fleeing the leading edge of toxic dispersant mixed with oil. Those not either caught in the toxic mixture and killed out at sea, or fortunate enough to be out in safe water beyond the Source, died as the water closed in, and they were left no safe harbor. The numbers of birds, fish, turtles, and mammals killed by the use of Corexit will never be known as the evidence strongly suggests that BP worked with the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, the FAA, private security contractors, and local law enforcement, all of which cooperated to conceal the operations disposing of the animals from the media and the public.”

Article:

The Crime of the Century: What BP and the US Government Don't Want You to Know, Part I


Read More: Alabama , Animal Welfare , British Petroleum , Coast Guard , Corexit , Cover-Up , Deepwater Horizon , Gulf Oil Spill , Gulf Shores , Mississippi Canyon Block 252 , Orange Beach , Port Fourchon , Thad Allen , Green News

Jerry Cope
Charles Hambleton
Jerry Cope and Charles Hambleton
Posted: August 4, 2010 11:46 AM

The unprecedented disaster caused by the BP oil spill at the Deepwater Horizon Mississippi Canyon 252 site continues to expand even as National Incident Commander Thad Allen and BP assert that the situation is improving, the blown-out source capped and holding steady, the situation well in hand and cleanup operations are being scaled back. The New York Times declared on the front page this past week that the oil was disolving more rapidly than anticipated. Time magazine reported that environmental anti-advocate Rush Limbaugh had a point when he said the spill was a "leak". Thad Allen pointed out in a press conference that boats are still skimming on the surface, a futile gesture when the dispersant Corexit is being used to break down oil on the surface. As the oil is broken down, it mixes with the dispersant and flows under or over any booming operations.

To judge from most media coverage, the beaches are open, the fishing restrictions being lifted and the Gulf resorts open for business in a healthy, safe environment. We, along with Pierre LeBlanc, spent the last few weeks along the Gulf coast from Louisiana to Florida, and the reality is distinctly different. The coastal communities of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have been inundated by the oil and toxic dispersant Corexit 9500, and the entire region is contaminated. The once pristine white beaches that have been subject to intense cleaning operations now contain the oil/dispersant contamination to an unknown depth. The economic impacts potentially exceed even the devastation of a major hurricane like Katrina, the adverse impacts on health and welfare of human populations are increasing every minute of every day and the long-term effects are potentially life threatening.

Over the Gulf from the Source (official term for the Deepwater Horizon spill site) in to shore there is virtually no sign of life anywhere in the vast areas covered by the dispersed oil and Corexit. This in a region previously abundant with life above and below the ocean's surface in all its diversity. For months now, scientists and environmental organizations have been asking where all the animals are. The reported numbers of marine animals lost from BP fall far short of the observed loss. The water has a heavy appearance and the slightly iridescent greenish yellow color that extends as far as the eye can see.

2010-08-04-oil1.jpg
Wake of vessel near the Source through the toxic dispersant Corexit

2010-08-04-oil2.jpg
Corexit and a thin line of orangish crude dispersing on the surface

2010-08-04-oil3.jpg
The ocean covered in Corexit is green, and a line of crude being dispersed

On two, unrestricted day-long flights, on July 22nd and 23rd, we were fortunate enough to be on with official clearance. We saw a total of four distressed dolphins and three schools of rays on the surface. As the bottom of the ocean is covered with crude and only the oil on the surface broken up by dispersant, the rays are forced up to the surface in a futile attempt to find food and oxygen. Birds are scarce where one would usually find thousands upon thousands. The Gulf of Mexico from the Source into the shore is a giant kill zone.

2010-08-04-oil4.jpg
Rays near the Source

In May, Mother Nature Network blogger Karl Burkart received a tip from an anonymous fisherman-turned-BP contractor in the form of a distressed text message, describing a near-apocalyptic sight near the location of the sunken Deepwater Horizon -- fish, dolphins, rays, squid, whales, and thousands of birds -- "as far as the eye can see," dead and dying. According to his statement, which was later confirmed by another report from an individual working in the Gulf, whale carcasses were being shipped to a highly guarded location where they were processed for disposal.

CitizenGlobal Gulf News Desk received photos that matched the report and are being published on Karl's blog today. Local fisherman in Alabama report sighting tremendous numbers of dolphins, sharks, and fish moving in towards shore as the initial waves of oil and dispersant approached in June. Many third- and fourth-generation fisherman declared emphatically that they had never seen or heard of any similar event in the past. Scores of animals were fleeing the leading edge of toxic dispersant mixed with oil. Those not either caught in the toxic mixture and killed out at sea, or fortunate enough to be out in safe water beyond the Source, died as the water closed in, and they were left no safe harbor. The numbers of birds, fish, turtles, and mammals killed by the use of Corexit will never be known as the evidence strongly suggests that BP worked with the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, the FAA, private security contractors, and local law enforcement, all of which cooperated to conceal the operations disposing of the animals from the media and the public.

The majority of the disposal operations were carried out under cover of darkness. The areas along the beaches and coastal Islands where the dead animals were collected were closed off by the U.S. Coast Guard. On shore, private contractors and local law enforcement officials kept off limits the areas where the remains of the dead animals were dumped, mainly at the Magnolia Springs landfill by Waste Management where armed guards controlled access. The nearby weigh station where the Waste Management trucks passed through with their cargoes was also restricted by at least one Sheriff's deputies in a patrol car, 24/7.

2010-08-04-oil5.jpg
Magnolia landfill during initial cleanup, courtesy of Press-Register, Connie Baggett

Robyn Hill, who was Beach Ambassador for the City of Gulf Shores until she became so ill she collapsed on the job one morning, was at a residential condominium property adjacent to the Gulf Shores beach when she smelled an overwhelming stench. She went to see where the odor was coming from and witnessed two contract workers dumping plastic bags full of dead birds and fish in a residential Waste Management dumpster, which was then protected by a security guard. Within five minutes, a Waste Management collection truck emptied the contents and the guard departed.

2010-07-29-dumpster.jpg
Photo by Robyn Hill

The oceans are empty, the skies tinged yellow by evaporating oil and toxic dispersant devoid of birds, dogs mysteriously have no fleas, and in an area usually besieged by mosquitoes, there is little need for repellent, and the usual trucks spraying are nowhere to be seen.

Dauphin Island was one of the sites where carcasses of sperm whales were destroyed. The operational end of the island was closed to unauthorized personnel and the airspace closed. The U.S. Coast Guard closed off all access from the Gulf. This picture shows the area as it was prepped to receive the whale carcasses for disposal.

2010-08-04-oil7.jpg

Riki Ott, PhD, has been in the region for the past three months. A veteran of the Exxon Valdez spill and renowned marine toxicologist, Ott has documented numerous accounts of the devastating results from BP and the government's use of Corexit in the gulf. We spoke at length last week:

JC: There has been a great deal of discussion about the disappearance of the animals and the life in the ocean which seem to have vanished since this incident has occurred. What do you know about this?

RO: Well I have been down in the Gulf since May 3rd. It's pretty consistent what I have heard. First I heard from the offshore workers and the boat captains that were coming in and they would see windrows of dead things piled up on the barrier islands; turtles and birds and dolphins... whales...

JC: Whales?

RO: And whales. There would be stories from boat captains of offshore, we started calling death gyres, where the rips all the different currents sweep the oceans surface, that would be the collection points for hundreds of dolphins and sea turtles and birds and even whales floating. So we got four different times latitudes/longitude coordinates where (this was happening) but by the time we got to these lat/longs which is always a couple of days later there was nothing there. There was boom put around these areas to collect the animals and we know this happened at Exxon Valdez too. The rips are where the dead things collect. We also know from Exxon Valdez that only 1% in our case of the carcasses that floated off to sea actually made landfall in the Gulf of Alaska. I don't believe there have been any carcass drift studies down here that would give us some indication that when something does wash up on the beach what percentage it is of the whole. But we know that offshore there was an attempt by BP and the government to keep the animals from coming onshore in great numbers. The excuse was this was a health problem -- we don't want to create a health hazard. That would only be a good excuse if they kept tallies of all the numbers because all the numbers - all the animals - are evidence for federal court. We the people own these animals and they become evidence for damages to charge for BP. In Exxon Valdez the carcasses were kept under triple lock and key security until the natural resource damage assessment study was completed and that was 2 1/2 years after the spill. Then all the animals were burned but not until then.

So people offshore were reporting this first and then carcasses started making it onshore. Then I started hearing from people in Alabama a lot and the western half of Florida - a little bit in Mississippi - but mostly what was going on then there was an attempt to keep people off the beaches, cameras off the beaches. I was literally flying in a plane and the FAA boundary changed. It was offshore first with the barrier islands and all of a sudden it just hopped right to shore to Alabama that's where we were flying over and the pilot was just like - he couldn't believe it - he was like look at that and I didn't know what he was looking but then he points at the little red line which had all of sudden grown and he just looked at me and said the only reason that they have done this is so people can't see what is going on. And what that little red line meant was no cameras on shore and three days later the oil came onshore and the carcasses came onshore into Alabama.

WATCH Jerry's interview with Ott:


JC: That immediately preceded the first wave coming onshore?

RO: Pretty much. That preceded the first wave. It was June 2nd when the line changed and the FAA boundaries increased. Then people would -- I mean you walk beaches here at night it's hot so people walk beaches -- and they would see carcasses like sea turtles, a bird, a little baby dolphin, and immediately they would go over to it and immediately people would approach them, don't touch that if you touch it you will be arrested and within fifteen minutes there would be a white unmarked van that would just come out of nowhere and in would go the carcass and off it would go.

They were white unmarked vans at first. We've since heard many other stories from truckers who are trucking carcasses in refrigerated vans to Mexico. Carcasses are just not showing up where they need to which is as body counts for essentially this war on the gulf.

JC: It sounds like the federal government and agencies that have been involved in this one way or another are working on behalf of BP and not the American people.

RO: What's going on on the beaches where people can at least get glimpses of what's happening -- I mean I've talked to people who have seen boats coming in towing dolphin carcasses and the boats have jockeyed to try to prevent the person with the camera from getting a picture. I've had people tell me they were walking the beach actually trying to deploy boom but along comes a BP rep and the Coast Guard in a boat, and the Coast Guard guy yells at the people to stop deploying -- particularly if it was alternative boom -- and then he goes away and comes back a few minutes later without the BP person and apologizes for behaving that way but he had to because there was a BP person on board.

JC: A Coast Guard official?

RO: A Coast Guard official apologized for his behavior because he had to a since BP person was on board. So it's pretty clear to the American, the people in the Gulf, that somehow it's turned not into our country anymore. That's the question. People are just stunned. We thought this was America. We didn't think we had to know exactly what our rights were, we just though we all lived them. Suddenly they're finding that unless they can site chapter and verse they are getting intimidated and backing down from these encounters with BP and/or the Coast Guard.

Drew Wheelan, with the American Birding Association, was on Grand Isle on the first of June. Drew said:

There were definitely dead birds washing up on the beach at that point. General contractors, not Fish and Wildlife officials, I contacted them and they said they were not conducting operations at that time. These contractors were cruising the high tide. On at least three occasions I saw these gators, 4-seat ATVs, going along the beach with hand-held spotlights looking for dead animals in the middle of the night. When I spoke with Felix Lopez at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, he told me they knew they were disappearing birds.

2010-08-01-IMG_7976.jpg
Dead Northern Gannet, reported but uncollected. Photo by Drew Wheelan

Karen Harvey is a local who regularly walks the beaches along the Alabama Gulf shore.

JC: In the course of walking the beaches since this incident happened, how many dead animals, birds did you find?

KH: Before they got the hazmat crews trained and before official people showed up with their vans I was finding -- within a seven-mile stretch -- and that's not a very long beach area, I was finding at least two turtles a day, mostly Ridleys. There was one logger head that was very large. My daughter's friends would call me and say, Miss Karen there's a turtle on the beach, you should come down and take a picture. People were aware they were dying, but we were being told that they were possibly hit by a fishing boat or pulled up with fish from the fishing boats but after the fishing boats were completely stopped the turtles were still on the beach. Now the beach is immaculate, no crabs, no birds -- nothing.

JC: Why do you think that is?

KH: Dispersant. It's the dispersant. And also when you clean a beach the way they clean our beach with -- I mean our beach never looked this pristine as far as junk and so forth -- when you clean a beach like that, you take away all the things that birds eat, and we did have some big fish kill areas where bunches of little tiny fish and so forth would wash up. And it makes you wonder.

JC: When was that?

KH: The last one as probably about a month ago.

JC: When you say a lot, quantify that.

KH: Thousands of little tiny fish, but they were cleaning the beach so they just cleaned the beach up, the hazmat workers.

WATCH Jerry's interview with Harvey:

The reason BP has gone to such great lengths to hide the devastation caused by the irresponsible drilling operations and blow out at Mississippi Canyon 252 is financial. Every death that results from the oil spill has a cash value, whether animal or human. Images of dead animals are difficult to spin in the media, and they resonate across all demographics. BP also has a strong interest in maintaining a business-as-usual model for the beach resort communities along the Gulf Coast that have been economically devastated and lost the majority of their annual revenue during the summer season of 2010. The only sharks circling the Gulf waters now are based on land.

Coming Soon; Part II. Corexit and Human Health.

Seven Puppies Die Agonizing Deaths After Being Left in the Cargo Hold of an American Airlines Jet in Hot Temperatures

Many of you have probably already seen this. I can only imagine the pain and suffering these puppies had to endure due to the heat and lack of air. The negligence of American Airlines is very evident in this tragedy.

Article:

7 puppies die after American Airlines flight

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38562515/ns/travel-news/

By DAVID KOENIG

updated 8/4/2010 7:10:14 PM ET

FORT WORTH, Texas — Seven puppies died after flying in the cargo hold of an American Airlines jet.

American said it contacted the shipper who put the puppies on a Tuesday morning flight from Tulsa, Okla., to Chicago, and is investigating further.

Airline spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan said Wednesday the shipper put 14 puppies aboard Flight 851, which was scheduled to leave Tulsa at 6:30 a.m. but was delayed an hour by storms in Chicago.

American said on its website it won't carry warm-blooded animals if the actual or forecast temperature is above 85 degrees. As the plane sat on the tarmac in Tulsa, it was already 86 degrees before 7 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Fagan said cargo holds carrying animals are routinely kept between 50 and 70 degrees.
Baggage handlers taking the puppies to a kennel area at O'Hare Airport grew concerned because they looked lethargic. Employees tried to cool down the dogs, and they were taken to a vet's office, but five died initially and two others died later, Fagan said.

Several of the puppies were headed to connecting flights. Fagan declined to identify the shipper or say whether American had taken animals from the same shipper before and, if so, whether there had been problems with any previous flights.

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Why Animal Rights / Veganism? Gary Yourofsky Explains the Basics in Clear Terms Via this Important Video: You Need to Watch this!

All I will say about this is that if you want to learn about the basics surrounding animal rights and veganism, then you need to watch this short video. He is right on with his facts and analysis, and he does an excellent job of laying out the basics very clearly.

Do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to view the following videos.

Also, you can learn more about Gary Yourofsky and these issues at his website at http://www.adaptt.org/about.html







Animal Testing Giant The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) Issues Recall of Dry Pet Foods Iams and Eukanuba for Health Risk

This brings the opportunity to remind (or inform) that The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is the producer of Iams and Eukanuba. And remember, The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is the world’s most infamous and largest animal testing company. So, following the logic, if you buy either Iams or Eukanuba, you support a company that is known for horrible and useless animal testing.

The names of the products are listed in the article below.

Article:

P&G Expands Voluntary Limited Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pg-expands-voluntary-limited-recall-of-specialized-dry-pet-foods-due-to-possible-health-risk-99668369.html

CINCINNATI, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE: PG) is voluntarily expanding its recall to include veterinary and some specialized dry pet food as a precautionary measure because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No salmonella-related illnesses have been reported.

The following dry pet food products are included:

UPC Codes
Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas
All dry sizes and varieties
01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes
Eukanuba Naturally Wild
All dry sizes and varieties
01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes
Eukanuba Pure
All dry sizes and varieties
01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes
Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin
All dry sizes
01Jul10 – 01Dec11
All UPC Codes



The affected products are sold in veterinary clinics and specialty pet retailers throughout the United States and Canada. No canned food, biscuits/treats or supplements are affected by this announcement. A full listing of UPC codes can be found at www.iams.com.

These products are made in a single, specialized facility. In cooperation with FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination. As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling all products made at this facility.

Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should discard them. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.

Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Advocates in Israel Call on Health Ministry to Halt Useless Medical Experiments Forcing Cats to Remain Awake to Monitor their Brain Function

Ben-Gurion University is the key organization in question. As stated below, “The organizations said the cats in the study at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev are confined in small enclosures and force-fed food containing substances to keep them awake during testing.”

Do I even need to point out how ridiculous and useless such experiments are? What in the world could possibly gained from them other than continual funding to keep the University funded?

Humm, think we just came across the answer.

Article:

Animal advocates: Stop tracking brain waves in awake cats

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/animal-advocates-stop-tracking-brain-waves-in-awake-cats-1.306078

Four animal-rights groups call on the Health Ministry to halt a medical experiment that involves forcing cats to remain awake in order to monitor their brain function.

By Dan Even
Tags: Israel news

Four animal-rights groups have joined forces to demand that the Health Ministry halt a medical experiment that involves forcing cats to remain awake in order to monitor their brain function. The organizations said the cats in the study at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev are confined in small enclosures and force-fed food containing substances to keep them awake during testing.

Research in Israel into feline brain function is generally conducted while the cats are anesthetized. They are often killed when the experiments are completed.


The study in question, led by Dr. Opher Donchin of the university's Department of Biomedical Engineering, investigates neural activity in Purkinje cells in the animals' cerebellar cortex. Researchers ultimately plan to study at least seven cats.
A cat having its brain waves monitored.

Last month Rachel Adam, a representative for animal-rights groups on the ministry's National Council for Experimentation on Animal Subjects, asked council chairman Ehud Ziv to look into complaints that the cats were subjected to unnecessary discomfort during testing. A veterinarian and a scientific consultant who were sent by Ziv to Donchin's laboratory wrote in their report that the experiment complied with the ministry's animal-testing regulations.

In response, animal-rights activists asked Ziv for permission to visit the lab and see the tests on the cats for themselves. When their request was rejected, they decided to take up the matter with the university directly.

This week the organizations sent a letter to Ziv and to university president Prof. Rivka Carmi demanding an immediate halt to the study. "This research is being conducted on conscious felines, subjecting them to prolonged, extreme suffering," the groups' attorney, Sagi Agmon, said. He said the experiment does not comply with the 1994 Animal Welfare Law.

The letter said the suffering caused to the cats far outweighed the study's potential "negligible scientific benefit" and that nothing could justify subjecting such sentient beings to prolonged, harmful tests, confinement and surgery for the purpose of dubious scientific gain. The activists said they are considering legal action against the study's organizers.

The director of the animal-rights group Behind Closed Doors, Anat Refua, said yesterday, "A cat can't be expected to sit in confinement for over an hour without moving. It breaks the animal physically and emotionally, leading to a state of powerlessness. In such a state the cat is likely to fall asleep, and inserting food into its mouth to keep it awake is both cruel and disproportionate. We ask for proportionality to be considered before approving any experiment in Israel, as required by law."

In response, Ziv said: "After the report was submitted, it was made clear that the council's representatives from nonprofit groups are invited to visit the lab and form their own impressions. They have yet to give us a date that suits them."

He said the conditions of the experiment were in compliance with its permit and that the cats exhibited no signs of suffering. "On the contrary," Ziv said, "they were in appropriate physical and behavioral condition, showed sociability and curiosity, and their interaction demonstrated their trust in the laboratory staff."

Ben-Gurion University said in a statement that while "Society grants scientists the authority to use animals for research and teaching purposes, in the recognition that animal research seeks to advance the saving of human life," the world and the university are increasingly using substitutes whenever possible to prevent unnecessary suffering to lab animals.

In its response the university rejected the activists' accusations and noted that the veterinarian and scientific consultant who viewed the testing determined unequivocally that it met all legal all council requirements. "This is highly important research with potential long-term value for the treatment of disorders of the cerebellum like autism, dyslexia and stroke. Donchin and his staff should receive all possible praise, not complaints," the statement said.

Land Mines Still Killing and Injuring Elephants in Thailand and Myanmar

Many do not know of this issue.

Article:

Vets treat elephant land mine victim in Thailand

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100805/ap_on_re_as/as_thailand_elephant_land_mine

AP – Mae Ka Pae, a 22-year-old female elephant, stands while resting her wounded leg at an elephant hospital …

str-dt-ddg – 1 hr 15 mins ago

LAMPANG, Thailand – Veterinarians were treating the latest land mine victim from the Thai-Myanmar border Thursday, a 22-year-old female elephant whose foot was severely wounded by the explosion.

Mae Ka Pae, as she is called, is the 13th mine casualty to be treated at the innovative Friends of Asian Elephant hospital near this city in northern Thailand since it began operating in 1993. She arrived at the facility Wednesday evening, a week after the accident, which shredded the sole of her left rear foot.

"We have to monitor her condition for 48 hours now that we cleaned the wound and injected pain killers. We will give her a tetanus shot later today. Overall, she is a good condition. She is obedient and can eat normally," said Dr. Preecha Phuangkam, a veterinarian and the hospital director.

The elephant was injured at the frontier, which is strewn with land mines from fighting between the Myanmar government and ethnic minority rebels. Preecha said her handlers might have let her wander to the less-developed Myanmar side of the border to find food.
She joins two other elephants, Motala and Mosha, who remain hospitalized but have recovered well enough to wear prosthetic legs. Mosha became the world's first elephant with an artificial leg, attached in 2007.

Traditionally the truck, taxi and logging worker of Thailand, the elephant has lost most of its jobs to modernization. However, the tourism industry still employs large numbers of elephants for trekking and other activities. Some, including a number along the Myanmar border, are still used in illegal logging operations.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

The Obvious Finally Stated: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Also Affects Military Service Dogs

Glad this is finally seeing light. Of course, most should have already guessed this occurs but apparently, like everything else, most need an expert to state it. Of course Dogs fear death in war zones!

The first two paragraphs below say it all:

“Gina was a playful 2-year-old German shepherd when she went to Iraq as a highly trained bomb-sniffing dog with the military, conducting door-to-door searches and witnessing all sorts of noisy explosions.

She returned home to Colorado cowering and fearful. When her handlers tried to take her into a building, she would stiffen her legs and resist. Once inside, she would tuck her tail beneath her body and slink along the floor. She would hide under furniture or in a corner to avoid people.”

Article:

Military dog comes home from Iraq traumatized


By DAN ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer – Tue Aug 3, 5:54 am ET

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Gina was a playful 2-year-old German shepherd when she went to Iraq as a highly trained bomb-sniffing dog with the military, conducting door-to-door searches and witnessing all sorts of noisy explosions.

She returned home to Colorado cowering and fearful. When her handlers tried to take her into a building, she would stiffen her legs and resist. Once inside, she would tuck her tail beneath her body and slink along the floor. She would hide under furniture or in a corner to avoid people.

A military veterinarian diagnosed with her post-traumatic stress disorder — a condition that experts say can afflict dogs just like it does humans.

"She showed all the symptoms and she had all the signs," said Master Sgt. Eric Haynes, the kennel master at Peterson Air Force Base. "She was terrified of everybody and it was obviously a condition that led her down that road."

A year later, Gina is on the mend. Frequent walks among friendly people and a gradual reintroduction to the noises of military life have begun to overcome her fears, Haynes said.
Haynes describes her progress as "outstanding."

"Pretty fabulous, actually," added Staff Sgt. Melinda Miller, who's been Gina's handler since May. "She makes me look pretty good."

PTSD is well-documented among American servicemen and women returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but its existence in animals is less clear-cut. Some veterinarians say animals do experience it, or a version of it.

"There is a condition in dogs which is almost precisely the same, if not precisely the same, as PTSD in humans," said Nicholas Dodman, head of the animal behavior program at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
But some veterinarians dislike applying the diagnosis to animals, thinking it demeans servicemen and women, Dodman said. He added that he means no offense to military personnel when he uses the term.

The military defines PTSD as a condition that develops after a life-threatening trauma. Victims suffer three types of experiences long afterward, even in a safe environment. They repeatedly re-experience the trauma in nightmares or vivid memories. They avoid situations or feelings that remind them of the event, and they feel keyed up all the time.

When Gina returned to Peterson last year after her six-month deployment in Iraq, she was no longer the "great little pup" Haynes remembered.

She had been assigned to an Army unit, and her job was to search for explosives after soldiers entered a house. The troops sometimes used noisy, blinding "flash-bang" grenades and kicked down doors, Haynes said, and Gina was once in a convoy when another vehicle was hit by an improvised bomb.

Back home at Peterson, Gina wanted nothing to do with people.

"She'd withdrawn from society as a whole," Haynes said.

Haynes, who has worked with more than 100 dogs in 12 years as a handler and kennel master, said he has seen other dogs rattled by trauma, but none as badly as Gina.

Haynes and other handlers coaxed Gina on walks, sending someone ahead to pass out treats for bystanders to give her. They got her over her fear of walking through doors by stationing someone she knew on the other side to reward her with pats and play. They eased her farther into buildings with the same technique.

"She started learning that everyone wasn't trying to get her," Haynes said. "She began acting more social again."


On a sunny afternoon last week, Gina dashed across her training yard, jumping over obstacles on command and deftly pushing a ball with her forelegs and chest. On a visit to a store on base, she trotted calmly down the aisles and sat quietly when a woman bent to pet her.

"She's such a lovable dog," Miller said, describing how the 61-pound Gina will lie in her lap. "I could literally hold this dog like a baby."

But Haynes said they're careful not to let their affection interfere with good training. Treating Gina like a human — for example, comforting her when she's frightened — can leave her thinking that her handler is pleased when she's afraid.

"She's just gorgeous and I love her, but you also have to balance it with — you have to do what's right," he said.

Gina has resumed some of her duties, searching cars for explosives at Peterson or other nearby military facilities. Eventually, she may be able to return to the kind of hazardous duty she did in Iraq, but that's at least a year away, Haynes said.

"We're not planning on doing it anytime in the near future because obviously, we don't want to mess up everything we've already fixed," he said.

Dodman said he doubts Gina can recover completely.

"It's a fact that fears once learned are never unlearned," Dodman said. "The best thing you can do is apply new learning, which is what (Gina's handlers are) doing," he said.

Haynes acknowledged that's a concern, and although he hopes Gina recovers 100 percent he doesn't know if she will.

"Anytime someone has that much fear about anything, then obviously it will be hard just to get it fixed," he said.

"But, I mean, we don't really have many other options," Haynes said. "You can't really give up on them. They're your partner."

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